Tray receiving body

ABSTRACT

An example apparatus includes a main body and a tray. The main body has a first wall, a second wall and a connecting portion. The first wall, the second wall and the connecting portion form a cavity, and the first wall has a recessed portion formed at a front end of the first wall. The recessed portion is recessed from an outer plane of the first wall. The cavity is to receive the tray therein. The tray has an edge portion, the edge portion being received in the recessed portion and forming a gap between the outer plane of the first wall and the edge portion.

BACKGROUND

Devices such as imaging systems typically include trays to hold printmedia such as paper. The print media can be fed from the tray into animage forming portion of the imaging system. In many such systems, thetray can be removed by sliding it out of the body of the imagingsystems. Removal of the tray may be needed to, for example, add morepaper or change the type of paper (e.g., letter size, A4, or the like).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of various examples, reference is nowmade to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example apparatus with a tray and a receivingbody;

FIG. 2 illustrates another example apparatus with a tray and a receivingbody;

FIG. 3 illustrates an example imaging system; and

FIG. 4 is cross-sectional view of an example apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various examples described herein relate to systems, such as printers orother imaging systems, which have removable trays. For example, variousprinters or multi-function systems have one or more trays to hold paperto be fed into the printer. In accordance with examples describedherein, the body of the system is provided with a recessed portion inthe front end. The recessed portion allows a gap between a traypositioned in the system and the outer edge of the system. In thisregard, the system can be placed against a surface, such as a wall oranother device and, nevertheless, allow a user to access the side of thetray for removal. Further, handles on the front of the tray, which maybe aesthetically undesirable, may be rendered unnecessary.

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 schematically illustrates anexample apparatus with a tray and a receiving body. The exampleapparatus of FIG. 1 may be a portion of a larger system, such as aprinter or other imaging system. Thus, the larger system may includeadditional components not illustrated in FIG. 1.

The example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 includes a main body 110. The mainbody 110 of the example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1 may be the framework ofan imaging system, for example. In this regard, the main body 110 mayhave any dimensions (e.g., width, height, etc.) suitable for theparticular imaging system, for example. Further, the main body 110 maybe formed of any of a variety of materials such as sheet metal,aluminum, steel, plastic, or a combination thereof.

The main body 110 of the example apparatus 100 includes a first wall120, a second wall 130, and a connecting portion 140. In the illustratedexample, the connecting portion 140 may form the back of the main body110. In other examples, the connecting portion 140 may form a top orbottom or other portion of the main body 110. Together, the first wall120, the second wall 130 and the connecting portion 140 form a cavity150. The thickness of each of the first wall 120, the second wall 130and the connecting portion 140 may be selected as desired for aparticular application, for example. Further, in the example system 100of FIG. 1, the shape of the outer surface of each of the first wall, thesecond wall 130 and the connecting portion 140 is planar. In otherexamples, the shape of those surfaces may be contoured for aestheticpurposes, for example.

The example system 100 of FIG. 1 further includes a tray 170. In variousdevices, the tray 170 may be provided to hold print media such as paperto be supplied into an image forming portion (not shown in FIG. 1). Inthis regard, the tray 170 is sized to be received within the cavity 150.The tray 170 can be slidably inserted into or removed from the cavity150. In this regard, the tray 170 can be removed from the cavity 150 bypulling it away from the main body 110, in the downward direction inFIG. 1. The tray 170 may further be sized to hold therein a variety ofpaper sizes including, but not limited to, letter, A4, legal, etc.

The first wall 120 of the main body 110 includes a recessed portion 160formed at the front end 122 of the first wall 120. The recessed portion160 is recessed from an outer plane 162 of the first wall 120. Further,the tray 170 includes an edge portion 172 that may be received withinthe recessed portion 160. When the tray 170 is inserted into the cavity150, the edge portion 172 of the tray 170 is received into the recessedportion 160 and forms a gap 180 between the outer plane 162 of the firstwall 120 and the edge portion 172.

In various example, the example apparatus 100 may be positioned suchthat the first wall 120 is positioned against a structure, such as awall. The recessed portion 160 allows a user to remove the tray 170 fromthe main body 110 even when the apparatus is situated in this manner.For example, with the tray 170 inserted into the cavity 150, the gap 180allows a user to reach therein with a hand or finger, for example, andgrasp the edge portion 172 to pull the tray 170 out of the cavity 150.In this regard, the recessed portion 160 and the edge portion 172 of thetray are sized such that the gap 180 is sufficiently large to allow auser to reach therein with, for example, a finger or a hand.

In the example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the main body 110 is providedwith a recessed portion 160 on one side (the first wall 120). In otherexamples, the example apparatus 100 may be provided with a recessedportion 160 on both sides (the first wall 120 and the second wall 130).

Referring now to FIG. 2, another example apparatus with a tray and areceiving body is schematically illustrated. The example apparatus 200of FIG. 2 is similar to the example apparatus 100 described above withreference to FIG. 1. Accordingly, the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2includes a main body 210 and a tray 270. The main body 210 of theexample apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes a first wall 220, a second wall230, and a connecting portion 240. Together, the first wall 220, thesecond wall 230 and the connecting portion 240 form a cavity 250.

Similar to the example apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, the example apparatus200 of FIG. 2 includes a recessed portion 260 formed at the front end222 of the first wall 220 of the main body 210. The recessed portion 260is recessed from an outer plane 262 of the first wall 220. In theexample apparatus 200 of FIG. 2, the recessed portion 260 includes atapered portion 264. Of course, in other examples, the recessed portion260 may include various other shapes.

The tray 270 of the example apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 includes an edgeportion 272. When the tray 270 is inserted into the cavity 250, the edgeportion 272 of the tray 270 is received into the recessed portion 260and forms a gap 280 between the outer plane 262 of the first wall 220and the edge portion 272.

The recessed portion 260 allows a user to remove the tray 270 from themain body 210 when the example apparatus 200 is positioned against awall, for example. The recessed portion 260 and the edge portion 272 ofthe tray 270 are sized such that the gap 280 is sufficiently large toallow a user to reach therein with, for example, a finger or a hand.Further, the example tray 270 of FIG. 2 is provided with an edge portion272 which includes a gripping portion 274. The gripping portion 274facilitates grasping of the edge portion 272 by a user and facilitatessliding of the tray 270 away from the main body 210. In this regard, thegripping portion 274 allows a user to exert a force in a directionparallel to the direction of the sliding of the tray 270.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example imaging system is illustrated. Theexample imaging system 300 may be any of a variety of imaging systems,such as a printer, copier, or a multi-function device. In variousexamples, the imaging system 300 may be laser printer or athree-dimensional (3D) printer. The example imaging system 300 includesvarious portions including an imaging portion 310 and a tray receivingcavity 320. In various examples, the imaging portion 310 may includecomponents to form an image. For example, the imaging portion 310 mayinclude a media intake portion and an image forming portion. The imageforming portion may include, for example, printheads for depositing inkonto a print media. Further, the imaging portion 310 is coupled to thetray receiving portion 320. For example, the media intake portion of theimaging portion 310 is positioned to receive print media from a trayinserted into the tray receiving cavity 320.

In various examples, the example imaging system 300 may be a desktopdevice or a larger system which includes various other components. Forexample, the example imaging system 300 may include various componentssuch as post-processing portions to staple a stack of print media.

The tray receiving cavity 320 of the example imaging system 300 of FIG.3 may be similar to the cavity 150, 250 described above with referenceto FIGS. 1 and 2. In this regard, the tray receiving cavity 320 of theexample imaging system 300 is formed by a first wall 330 and a secondwall 340. In various examples, the tray receiving cavity 320 may haveother components surrounding it. For example, in the example imagingsystem 300 of FIG. 3, the tray receiving cavity 320 further includes aback wall 350 and a platform 360. The platform 360 may separate the trayreceiving cavity 320 from the imaging portion 310.

The example imaging system 300 may rest on the ground or atop a desktopor another component. In this regard, the example imaging system 300rests on the first wall 330 and the second wall 340. Thus, the firstwall 330, the second wall 340 and the platform 360 form a pontoonstructure.

The example imaging system 300 of FIG. 3 is provided with features tofacilitate removal of a tray (not shown in FIG. 3). In this regard, theexample imaging system 300 is provided with a recessed portion 370formed at the front end 332 of the first wall 330. The recessed portion370 may be similar to the recessed portions 160, 260 described abovewith reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, the recessed portion 370is recessed from an outer plane of the first wall 330.

The tray receiving cavity 320 of the example imaging system 300 mayslidably receive a tray therein. A tray within the tray receiving cavity320 is accessible by the imaging portion 310, allowing the imagingportion 310 to retrieve print media, such as paper, stored in the tray.The tray receiving cavity 320 may receive trays similar to the trays170, 270 described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. For examples,the tray receiving cavity 320 may receive a tray having an edge portionthat may be received in the recessed portion 370 and forms a gap betweenthe outer plane of the first wall and the edge portion.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross-sectional view of an example apparatusis illustrated. The example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 may be part of alarger system, such as an imaging system, for example. The exampleapparatus 400 of FIG. 4 is formed with an inner frame 410 and an outercover 450. In various examples, the inner frame 410 may be formed toprovide structural support and/or rigidity for the example apparatus400, as well as the larger system. In this regard, the inner frame 410may be formed of a metal, such as sheet metal, aluminum, or steel, forexample. The outer cover 450 is positioned on the outer surface of theinner frame 410 and may be provided for aesthetic purposes. In variousexamples, the outer cover 450 may provide structural support in additionto aesthetic appeal. The outer cover 450 may be formed of a plastic,such as molded plastic, for example.

In the example apparatus 400, the inner frame 410 includes a first wall420 and a second wall 430. The first wall 420 and the second wall 430form a cavity 440, similar to the cavity 150, 250 described above withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

As described above, the outer cover 450 is positioned on the outersurface of the inner frame 410. In this regard, the outer cover 450 ispositioned on the outer surfaces 422, 432 of each of the first wall 420and the second wall 430, respectively.

The example apparatus 400 is provided with recessed portions 460 formedon the front end. In the example apparatus 400 illustrated in FIG. 4,recessed portions 460 are provided on each side of the example apparatus400. Of course, as described above, in various examples, a recessedportion 460 may be provided on only one side. The recessed portion 460on the left side of FIG. 4 is formed by the first wall 420 of the innerframe 410 and a corresponding portion of the outer cover 450. Asdescribed with reference to the various examples described above, therecessed portion 460 is recessed from an outer plane 452 of the outercover 450.

The example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 further includes a tray 470 whichmay slidably engage the cavity 440 of the inner frame 410. As describedabove, the tray 470 may be provided to store print media, such as paper,therein. The tray 470 includes an edge portion 472 which is receivedinto the recessed portion 460 and forms a gap 480 between the outerplane 452 of the outer cover 450 and the edge portion 472. As describedabove, the gap 480 is sufficient to allow a user to reach therein with,for example, a finger or a hand.

Further, the tray 470 of the example apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 includes agripping portion 474 formed on the edge portion 472. The grippingportion 474 facilitates grasping of the edge portion 472 by a user andfacilitates sliding of the tray 470 away from the cavity 440 formed bythe inner frame 410. In this regard, the gripping portion 474 allows auser to exert a force in a direction parallel to the direction of thesliding of the tray 470 away from the cavity 440.

Thus, various examples described herein facilitate removing of a trayfrom a device, such as an imaging system. Providing a recess on the sideallows removal of the tray even if the device is positioned against asurface such as a wall.

The foregoing description of various examples has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description isnot intended to be exhaustive or limiting to the examples disclosed, andmodifications and variations are possible in light of the aboveteachings or may be acquired from practice of various examples. Theexamples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explainthe principles and the nature of various examples of the presentdisclosure and its practical application to enable one skilled in theart to utilize the present disclosure in various examples and withvarious modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.The features of the examples described herein may be combined in allpossible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, andcomputer program products.

It is also noted herein that while the above describes examples, thesedescriptions should not be viewed in a limiting sense. Rather, there areseveral variations and modifications which may be made without departingfrom the scope as defined in the appended claims.

1. An apparatus, comprising: a main body having a first wall, a secondwall and a connecting portion, wherein the first wall, the second walland the connecting portion form a cavity, the first wall having arecessed portion formed at a front end of the first wall, the recessedportion being recessed from an outer plane of the first wall; and atray, the cavity being to receive the tray therein, the tray having anedge portion, the edge portion being received between the recessedportion and the outer plane of the first wall and forming a gap betweenthe outer plane of the first wall and the edge portion when the tray isinserted into the cavity.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gapis sufficient to allow a user to reach therein.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the recessed portion includes a tapered portion.
 4. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the first wall and the second wall form apontoon structure, and wherein the connecting portion forms a platformof the pontoon structure.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the trayis slidingly received within or removed from the cavity.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the edge portion includes a grippingportion to facilitate sliding of tray away from the main body.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the main body includes an imaging portion.8. A system, comprising: an imaging portion; a tray receiving cavitycoupled to the imaging portion, the tray receiving cavity being formedby a first wall and a second wall, a recessed portion formed at a frontend of the first wall, the recessed portion being recessed from an outerplane of the first wall; and a tray slidably received by or removed fromthe tray receiving cavity, the tray being accessible by the imagingportion to retrieve print media stored in the tray, the tray having anedge portion received between the recessed portion and the outer planeof the first wall and forming a gap between the outer plane of the firstwall and the edge portion with the tray inserted into the cavity.
 9. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the gap is sufficient to allow a user toreach therein.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the recessed portionincludes a tapered portion.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the firstwall and the second wall form a pontoon structure, and wherein theimaging portion forms a platform of the pontoon structure.
 12. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the edge portion includes a gripping portionto facilitate sliding of the tray away from the tray receiving cavity.13. An apparatus, comprising: an inner frame having a first wall and asecond wall, wherein the first wall and the second wall form a cavity;an outer cover positioned on an outer surface of the first wall and thesecond wall, the first wall of the inner frame and a correspondingportion of the outer cover having a recessed portion at a front end, therecessed portion being recessed from an outer plane of the outer cover;and a tray to slidably engage the cavity, the tray having an edgeportion being received between the recessed portion and the outer planeof the outer cover and forming a gap between the outer plane of theouter cover and the edge portion when the tray is inserted into thecavity, the gap being sufficiently large to allow a user to reachtherein.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the inner frame isformed of a metal and the outer cover is formed of a molded plastic. 15.The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the edge portion includes a grippingportion to facilitate sliding of tray away from the cavity.